Tufting button



July 2s, 195o w. H. HADLEY 2,516,204

TUFTING BUTTON Filed Dec. 2l, 1946 Patented July 25, 1950 TUFTIN G BUTTON Walter H. Hadley, Indianapolis, Ind.

Application December 21, 1946, Serial No. 717,781

(Cl. :Z4-90) 2 Claims.

This invention relates to a tufting button for use with mattresses and other upholstered household equipment such as furniture and the like.

The conventional tufting button used with mattresses and the like is formed of a hard substance lacking resiliency and flexibility. As a consequence it frequently happens, as is commonly known, that the button is felt by the user of the mattress. This is particularly true when it turns on one side or on one edge thereby causing annoyance and discomfort.

It is the primary object of this invention to provide a tufting button which is resilient, compressible, and flexible in character and which as a result thereof eliminates the unsatisfactory characteristics of the conventional button as aforesaid.

It is the further object of this invention to provide a tufting button which will act as a seal to prevent the entrance into the interior of the mattress of dirt, lint, and vermin. This is accomplished by providing the button with a diameter relatively larger than that of the conventional button and by providing a feather edge about its periphery. A sealing of the entire depression or pocket in the mattress resulting from the tufting operation is thereby effected. The results of the sealing action of the invention cannot be underestimated in connection with its use with mattresses for infant children. The invention by providing an effective seal eliminates the possibility that the mattress inners will become odorous as a result of the childs wetting the bed.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a button which Will not present an exposed cutting edge as does the conventional button.

The chief feature of the invention resides in constructing the body portion surrounding the core of the button, of a flexible, compressible, and resilient substance. It has been found that sponge rubber, either synthetic or natural, is best adapted to accomplish this purpose, although any flexible or resilient material may be substituted therefor.

Another feature of the invention lies in providing a feather edge about the periphery of the button for the dual purpose of making it more effective as a seal and eliminating the so-called cutting edge of the conventional button.

Still another feature 'of the invention resides in the formation of the flexible cover surrounding the core in such a way as to have it present a substantially sealed and smooth surface. As

a consequence thereof, it will not collect dust nor will it chafe and Wear the sheets on the mattress or the clothes of a person using furniture and the like in connection with which the button is used.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the tufting button.

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section thereof taken on line 3-3 of Fig. l.

Fig. 4 shows a vertical section view of the button which is the identical section as appears in Fig. 3, but with the button shown in the depression or pocket of the mattress after the tufting operation has been completed While the button is serving as an anchor.

In the drawings there is shown a tufting button I0 comprising a core I I and a cover I2 therefor, which is formed of a flexible or resilient substance. Anchored to the core II is an eyelet I3 through which the thread I4 is passed in the tufting operation.

It is to be observed that the plane A-A of the largest diameter of the core II is different from the plane B-B of the largest diameter of the cover I2. As a consequence, even when the button is caused to cock or incline at an angle relative to the surface of the mattress a portion of the flexible cover still affords a bearing for the weight thereon and the discomfort and annoyance resulting from the so-called cutting edge of the conventional button is eliminated.

The periphery of the cover I2 is formed With a feather edge I5 which serves to seal the depression or pocket I6 in the mattress II caused by the tufting operation, against the entrance into the stuffing I8 of the mattress of lint, dirt, and vermin.

It is to be observed also that the diameter of the button I Il is substantially larger than the diameter of the conventional tufting button. As a consequence of this feature, the button I0 will not turn over, nor will it become cocked to the same degree as the conventional button.

The invention claimed is:

l. In a tufting button, a cover comprising an annular bodyy of readily compressible material relatively thick at its medial portion and having its outer surfaces curving to meet in a feather edge at its periphery, a core embedded in the thickest portion of said cover, and an eyelet secured to said core and projecting from one side of said body in the transverse center thereof.

2. In a tufting button, a cover comprising an annular body of readily deformable material relatively thick at its medial portion and having its outer surfaces curving to meet in a feather edge at its periphery, an annular core of rigid 5 material embedded in the thicker portion of said body, said core being of less diameter than said cover, and an eyelet anchored at one end in said core and. projectingA from said body vin the axis thereof. i"

"` WALTER'I-l'.v `EEADLEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,110,462 Shantz Sept. 15, 1914 1,573,860 Purnton Feb. 23, 1926 1,61D,309 l Niederer Dec. 14, 1925 1,6lf8,39'8 y Winslow .leb.y 2-2, 1927 

